• Salt City Bocce League Standard Rule of Play

    Salt City Bocce League Standard Rule of Play

  • BOCCE PLAY

    1. Bocce Terms:
      1. Match = 3 games
      2. Games = First team to reach 12 or more points
      3. Round = All 8 Bocce balls have been thrown.
    2. Begin the match with the flip of a coin, rock/paper/scissors or choice of ball color or first throw.
    3. The winning team has the first toss of the pallino and (if not done as a match starter) chooses the color of the team's balls. Each team member decides if they will throw the circles or the squares of their color.
    4. Starting team each round places the mat and makes the initial pallino throw. The pallino thrower always throws the first bocce ball.
    5. The pallino cannot be thrown more than 40 ft. or shorter than 5 ft.
    6. All players must throw with some part of at least one foot on the mat with both feet behind the front of the mat.
    7. Second ball is thrown by the opposing team.
    8. Each succeeding ball is thrown by the team that does NOT have a ball closest to the pallino.  The “IN” team only throws if opponents have thrown all balls. Team members alternate throwing.
    9. Hitting/Knocking balls in play or the pallino is permitted. Is means a forceful throw that rearranges the balls in play.
      If the score changes due to a ball hitting/knocking the pallino, or any ball on the playing field, the player who threw the ball will get either a BOCCE or a DEBOCCE.
      1. A BOCCE is awarded when the ball thrown hits/knocks any other ball or the pallino, moving the balls so the score changes in the throwing team's favor The ball moved into scoring position cannot be the ball just thrown.
      2. A DEBOCCE is awarded when the ball thrown hits/knocks any other ball or the pallino, moving the balls so the score changes in favor of the opposing team.
      3. BOCCE and DEBOCCEs are recorded on the scoresheet when they occur.
    10. If a player throws wrong color ball, it is replaced with a correct color ball after the ball comes to rest.
    11. If a team's legally thrown ball is interfered with while moving by someone or something not on the playing surface before the throw, the ball is returned to be thrown again.
    12. If a team's legally thrown ball is moved (accidentally or intentionally) from its resting position by an opposing player before the points are determined and the end of the round is declared, it is reset to its approximate original position. If the ball is sufficiently moved that the approximate original position can not be determined, the offended team has the option to leave the balls as they lay or replay the round.

    SCORING

    1. Prior to the start of the match, players will determine who will be the score keeper. The scorekeeper will ensure that scores are correct. Scorekeepers may change after a game is played. See score sheet and how to score below.
    2. The official score for a round is determined after all 8 balls have been played One point is awarded for each ball of a team that is closer to the pallino than the opponents.
    3. Scores is also kept for each team member, individually. Team players determine if they will throw the circle or square of their color. When scoring  the round, scores go in the player box. (ie Team Z receive a score of 3, one for the player throwing circles and 2 for the player throwing squares) See score sheet below.
    4. If a player’s ball lands touching the pallino after the throw, that player is awarded a ACE. An ACE is determined directly after the throw and is not affected by any subsequent throws knocking them away. Record ACEs on the scoresheet when they occur. The player with the most ACEs will be recognized and rewarded at the end of the season.
    5. When a team score 4 points in a round, we call that a JACKPOT. When a JACKPOT is made it is marked on the score sheet as a stat. The shouting out of "JACKPOT" by the team is optional!
    6. If any of team’s balls are tied (the distance from the pallino is undeterminable,) you can decide the winning ball by either:
      1. Asking another team’s player nearby to be the judge and determine the winning ball.
        If you choose this method, the judge’s decision is final.
      2. Team players can decide to call a BOWLER. This unique rules states that when a tie is called by both teams, all balls are removed from the field, except the pallino and the two balls are rethrown by the original throwers. The team that started the round going first.
      3. Measuring the distance. Salt City Bocce prefers not to use this method but it is not illegal. It’s just more fun to eye and/or play the throw over!!
    7. The team that scores in the last frame throws the pallino in the next frame and play continues as above.
    8. The team scoring 12 points, wins the game. However, the game must be won by 2 points (ie a score of 12-11 is not a winner, 13-11 is)
    9. Matches are determined are 3 games. Not best 2 out of 3, play all 3 games.

    SUBSTITUTION / MAKE-UP GAMES

    1. There will be 2 "bye" weeks for the 2026 season, 6/30/26 and 7/28/26. These weeks can be used to make up games
    2. Each team will attempt to play 10 matches over the course of the season. There  is not schedule for which teams play which. When you arrive, find another team to start a match. Try to play as many different teams as you can in the 10 weeks.
    3. It is the responsibility of each team player to obtain a substitute if needed. There is a substitutes list available or you may find your own. 

    FINAL RULES

    1. Bring your cooler packed with your favorite beverages and your smile.
      PLEASE NOTE: Bottles are not allowed in the park.
    2. Please be sure to pick up after self. League has a recycle bin available.
    3. Have fun and make friends.

    KEEPING SCORE

     

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